Manuscripts illustrate multiple aspects of a nation’s identity--its history, thought, imagination and not least its will to preserve these things for posterity. The manuscripts that appear in this book come from all corners of India from the most important public and private collections and span a period of almost two millennia of Indian cultural history. A range of theoretical systems, scripts, languages, calligraphies, illuminations, illustrations and materials used in the creation of manuscripts, are all explored in such a way as to produce a lasting impression of India as a multicultural society that holds knowledge and knowledge systems in high regard. The book includes over 180 color and black and white illustrations.